Columbia City Council approves ‘Ward Reapportionment Committee’ and amendments to Citizens Police Review Board

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council approved a resolution Monday to establish a Ward Reapportionment Committee.

The committee is responsible for recommending to the council, to change the geography of the city's six wards, based on the 2020 census data.

Ward boundaries are reviewed roughly every 10 years to maintain an equal number of residents in each ward.

In 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011 the city council appointed citizen advisory committees to recommend new ward boundaries.

Census results generally have the data necessary to determine whether or not ward reapportionment is
advisable.

Each council member is expected submit to the Mayor the name of one individual residing in the member’s ward to serve as the ward’s representative.

The Mayor would appoint these individuals plus one other Columbia resident to serve on the committee.

The committee would make its recommendation to the city council on or before Feb. 15, 2022.

Council also approved a list of amendments to the Citizens Police Review Board to adhere to Senate Bill 26.